The Balanced Christian Life 8 26 2009 What is

The Balanced Christian Life 8/26/2009

What is Balance? n A state of equilibrium or parity characterized by cancellation of all forces by equal opposing forces n Equilibrium is a state of balance or adjustment of conflicting desires, interests COLD HOT WARM

Christians n n We are born into righteousness by accepting the price of the shed blood of Jesus as the payment for our sins We begin our journey as a new creature, old things are passed away and all things have become new Has all things really become new? n What has changed about us to make us a new person or a new creature? n

The change n The answer to this question provides the basis for our Christian imbalance n n n Do we still look the same? n n n The expectation Christians have is we are no longer the way we used to be We are no longer the same person we used to be Some say we don’t, but in fact we do. The difference may be in how we carry ourselves or how we present ourselves to others Our facial features are the same Do we still have the same personality? n n Some would say no, but in fact we do If you were outgoing as a sinner, you are still outgoing as a saint

Balance in the Bible n Philippians 4: 12 n n I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Proverbs 30: 8 -9 n 8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

Why is balance so hard? n n It is easy to lose focus Trying to live up to others expectations Misinformation and misinterpretation Unwilling to change

7 Dimensions of Balance

Physical n Our physical state affects our mental state n n n Although the Bible says bodily exercise profits little, it does not say it is unprofitable We must take care of our bodies This means we must watch what we eat and how much we eat n n n Leading cause of premature death in African Americans is hypertension Percent of men 20 years and over with hypertension: 39% (2003 -2006) Centers for Disease Control Percent of women 20 years and over with hypertension: 43% (2003 -2006) Centers for Disease Control

Physical n We must take control over what we eat n n Healthy food can taste good Eating in moderation is necessary n n n Doing so can keep us out of the prayer line It is important to exercise n n We should eat to live rather than live to eat Walk Play sports Do something When the spirit hits you and you dance all over the floor – how do you feel afterwards?

Physical n n We must take note of how we look Although the native look was in vogue in the seventies, it isn’t today n n There’s nothing wrong with getting a perm Ladies should be free to fix themselves up n n n Dab on a little make-up Put on a piece of jewelry or two The same thing you did to attract your husband is the same thing you need to do now n n Just because you are saved it doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to look at you in that special way Do it all in moderation (Be temperate in all things – I Cor 9: 25)

Mental n n Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus – Philippians 2: 5 Our minds must be transformed n n n Our thoughts must line up Christ Our ideas must line up with the Word Attitudes are outward indications of inward thoughts n n If we are Christians then we must think like Christians If we think like Christians then we will act like Christians

Mental n Sometimes things go wrong with our thoughts When they do, we need to seek help n It is okay for Christians to seek counsel n n n Professional Counsel included God wants us to have a healthy mind If our mind is sick, it needs healing n Mental illness is not demonic possession! n n Most people just need a tune up n Pastoral counsel

Social n n n Men/Women are social beings We like being around other people (most of the time) Church is a society n n A group of baptized believers in Christ We need to socialize in some fashion Activities, sports, games, hobbies, etc. n Interacting with people with common interests is healthy n

Social n Examples of social behavior n n n Dinner parties Book clubs Knitting clubs Bike clubs Social club membership n n Kiwanis, Rotary, etc Going out on the town with another couple n n n Dinner and a movie Bowling Putt

Social n n Indulging in such surroundings could meet a void that if left unfulfilled could lead to unhealthy behaviors If we want friends we need to demonstrate friendly behavior – Proverbs 18: 24 n No holier than thou mentality

Work n Our goal should be to do a good job n n Our focus is to perform our work to the best of our ability n n Veto Mediocrity Respect our bosses n n 5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Good or bad Be genuine in our performance

Work n We do so not expecting anything more than what was promised when we were hired n n n Others promoted ahead of you n n n Raises are a bonus not a guarantee Matthew 20: 1 -16 Continue doing a good job Continue showing respect to your boss Don’t be defined by your work n Work is a means to an end

Financial n n We could spend all night talking about this portion of our lives We need to be good stewards of the resources God entrusts unto us We must learn to live within our means and not beyond our means We must learn to give to God and to others n n Tithes Offerings n Malachi 3: 8 -12

Financial n Debt is an enemy to good financial stewardship n Examples of bad debt n n n n Credit cards Furniture Computers Small equipment – riding lawnmowers, etc. Jewelry Clothing Examples of good debt n n Home Maybe a car n Shouldn’t buy home or car you can not afford

Financial n n If we have money and don’t give, then we are out of balance If we say we can not afford to pay our tithes then we are out of balance Saints should not seek to be rich but we should manage our finances so that we are able to pay our bills and help others Saints should rarely spend time in the prayer line over finances n If we have been faithful in fulfilling our obligation then God will uphold his part of the bargain

Family n Ephesians 5: 22 -33 governs the relationship between husbands and wives Husbands must love their wives as Christ loved the church n They must demonstrate a sense of security and safety to their wives that will free her to give her full self to him n Wives in turn must submit themselves to their husbands and obey them n n They must do this as unto the Lord

Family n Popular culture has created an imbalance n n Wives are ruling the home because the husband is either absent or too weak to rule his own household Wives are not willing to submit to the husband’s leadership thereby creating conflict and turmoil Husbands are not willing to submit themselves to their wives and receive counsel and an alternative viewpoint Husbands are not acting as the priest of their homes and leaving it to the wives to do so

Family n Ephesians 6: 1 -4 governs how parents and children should interact n n n The popular notion today is husbands and wives can attend separate churches n n This creates division and is not God’s way Another popular notion is to separate the finances n n Fathers should not provoke their children to anger Children should honor their parents based on the commandment of God Again this can create division and conflict Our goal is to be one family with the same goals

Spiritual n I have already touched on this but I will mention a couple of other things As we separate ourselves unto Christ, we must know that we belong to him 100% n However, God does not expect us to pray 100% of the time n We must have a prayerful heart and prayerful spirit, but the practice can not be to pray all the time (Men must always pray……) n

Spiritual n Our challenge is to be like God without distancing others from us We can be saved and still have acquaintances that are not saved n We can be saved but still show kindness and love to those who are not saved n n Christ asked us to go into all the world and preach n If we have not lived a life worthy of being heard, then we will not be heard

Spiritual n n n Our most effective witness is the life we live When we demonstrate to the unsaved that we have proper balance in all phases of our lives then they are more proned to hear us Some key things to remember: n n n Spend time with God Read and study the Bible Attend Church services, including Bible study n n Have a teachable spirit Learn the word of God

Conclusion n The balanced Christian life is not one dimensional, it is multi-dimensional The balanced Christian life is not a destination we reach, it is a journey The balanced Christian life takes time and dedication n If we are too hot – we will soon burn out If we are too cold we will distance ourselves from God We must learn to be temperate in all things so the power of God can rule in us to make us fit for the Master’s use